something is killing my battery
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 57
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From: brooklyn ny
I don't know what else to check when the car is off over night the battery dies ...so now I have to keep the battery unhooked so o can start it in the morning what can be killing my battery .....alternator good ....new battery...no mods...no lights on when i lock the car no warnings in the Idrive ... running around all day doing errands the car starts right up with no problems but over night I cant leave it plugged up 
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,972
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From: The State of Southern NJ!
Faulty IBS or something is staying awake.
I know you're disconnecting the battery at night (what a PIA that must be) ... normally does the indicator light near the shifter go out (generally indicates everything is asleep after about 20 minutes) when you park and lock the car?
I know you're disconnecting the battery at night (what a PIA that must be) ... normally does the indicator light near the shifter go out (generally indicates everything is asleep after about 20 minutes) when you park and lock the car?
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 223
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From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
My Ride: 09 535i Xdrive
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Audiophile Sound Package
I had the same problem,suggest you hit the off button twice and it will put the car to sleep immediately instead of 20 minutes later.This tip was given to me by my SA after they had changed my battery for the second time in 2 years.
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 40
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From: Northern VA
My Ride: 2006 E60 530i
Do you have Comfort Access? (You can unlock the car by touching a door handle)
IBS is the Intelligent Battery Sensor, basically it controls how your car charges your battery. When you hook up a battery tender under the hood, that current actually goes through the IBS and the IBS takes that into account and will treat your battery knowing that it has been tendered.
Have you tried hooking the battery up to a tender? Battery Tender Jr. and Battery Tender Plus work pretty well for what they are. I personally have a Jr. and hook my E60 up to it every once in a while.
That light on your shifter should go out in a good 20 minutes, however sometimes it may take longer. However, I always wake up to find mine off.
What your problem sounds like is something is staying on, and sucking your battery out. How are you getting your car to start after the battery dies?
To the poster above: On the Non-CA/Prior to 08 E60's, Sleep mode is considered to be the entire car basically being off. Hitting the start button twice simply switches off most of the convenience electronics such as the radio, etc. In this case, I'm not sure if the OP has a CA enabled car with a button or just a regular key car.
IBS is the Intelligent Battery Sensor, basically it controls how your car charges your battery. When you hook up a battery tender under the hood, that current actually goes through the IBS and the IBS takes that into account and will treat your battery knowing that it has been tendered.
Have you tried hooking the battery up to a tender? Battery Tender Jr. and Battery Tender Plus work pretty well for what they are. I personally have a Jr. and hook my E60 up to it every once in a while.
That light on your shifter should go out in a good 20 minutes, however sometimes it may take longer. However, I always wake up to find mine off.
What your problem sounds like is something is staying on, and sucking your battery out. How are you getting your car to start after the battery dies?
To the poster above: On the Non-CA/Prior to 08 E60's, Sleep mode is considered to be the entire car basically being off. Hitting the start button twice simply switches off most of the convenience electronics such as the radio, etc. In this case, I'm not sure if the OP has a CA enabled car with a button or just a regular key car.